Wen: I do not think mask requirements should return in schools. Individuals who are high-risk can further reduce their own risk by attending only events where they can stay outdoors, or, if they must be indoors, wearing a high-quality mask when in crowded areas.ĬNN: As kids return to the classroom, should they mask? Should mask requirements return in schools? I’d also recommend having hand sanitizer readily available and encouraging people to stay home if they are symptomatic. Outdoors remains far safer than indoors, and good ventilation with open windows and doors is a great strategy for reducing transmission. If there are some attendees who have expressed their concern about contracting Covid-19, organizers could consider hosting the Labor Day festivities outdoors. Organizers should consider their own medical circumstances and those of their attendees. People who didn’t put Labor Day events on hold last year probably don’t need to do so this year. While it is true that hospitalizations are on the rise, they are about one third of hospitalizations last year at the same time. Wen: It’s important to put the recent Covid-19 numbers into perspective. New variant EG.5 is on the rise as Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations go upĬNN: What measures should those planning Labor Day events consider? (Photo by Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto via AP) Reginald Mathalone/NURPHO/AP/FILE This includes wearing a well-fitting, high-quality N95 or equivalent mask in crowded indoor places, and opting for outdoor rather than indoor gatherings.Ī pile of positive iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests is seen on Jin Houston, Texas. Those who are still vulnerable should take added precautions to avoid contracting Covid-19 in the first place. Individuals should speak with their physicians to discuss their risk of severe illness from the coronavirus, taking into consideration the effect of boosters and antiviral treatment. Studies have shown that Paxlovid can reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by as much as 80% when taken within five days of symptom onset. People should also know whether they are eligible for the antiviral medication, Paxlovid, and to have a plan for how to access it. Older individuals and those with underlying medical illnesses should certainly get the new booster shot when it comes out, which is expected to happen next month. According to the CDC, less than half of those 65 and over received the bivalent booster shot that was first released in fall of 2022. To begin with, they should be sure they are up to date with coronavirus boosters. These individuals should take additional precautions. Most people still becoming severely ill from the coronavirus are those 65 and over and who have serious underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and immunocompromise. As a result, they might decide that they will use good hygiene practices like handwashing and sneezing into their elbows, but otherwise not take the more restrictive measures that they adopted earlier on in the pandemic like masking, social distancing and avoiding indoor interactions.ĬNN: Are older people still particularly vulnerable? For younger and generally healthy people, especially if they have had the coronavirus before and have been vaccinated, the chance of severe illness is very low. The primary factor people should consider in thinking through the degree of precautions to take is how vulnerable they are to severe illness if they were to contract Covid-19. Thankfully, we have many more tools to reduce the severity of coronavirus infection, including vaccines and treatments, and options to reduce virus transmission, including masks and improved ventilation. At this point, it’s clear that the coronavirus is endemic - it’s become one of many viruses that we have to contend with. We are at a very different point in the pandemic compared with the first couple of years of Covid-19. Leana Wen: It depends on people’s circumstances. This is how Covid-19 misinformation has led to declining confidence in medical scienceĬNN: What precautions should people take to protect themselves against the coronavirus?ĭr.
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